Protect your skin from cancer side effects

I PROTECT
MYSELF FROM SIDE EFFECTS

By now, your doctor will have discussed your upcoming cancer treatment options. Depending on which cancer treatment you are receiving (radiotherapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy…), your body may go through different changes. When certain therapies kill cancerous cells, they can also affect healthy cells, potentially damaging your skin, nails and hair along the way.

Now is the time to begin taking care of yourself. Prepare, nourish and protect your body from the effects of your cancer therapy in order to feel at your best during your treatment.

Looking at a list of side effects can seem daunting; it is important to remember that you will not experience every one of them. You may know hair loss, your nails may start to flake, and your skin might become dry and itchy. These side effects all depend on how your body responds to your treatment, so it is a good idea to educate yourself on them, and on how you can begin to prepare your skin for the treatments that will come ahead.

Your medical team should be your first point of contact, so do not hesitate to ask your oncologist, dermatologist and nurses about the effects of cancer treatment will have on you.